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Month: January 2013

In Latin the word is illuminatus, in Italian it is illuminato and it refers to those who claim special illumination, spiritual or intellectual. The word is often capitalized when applied to the members of various special sects or groups. [Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary].

Suellen Ocean is the author of the historical series, The Lion’s Trace Available here:

You hear it all the time and you know what it means… at least you think you do. But are you confident enough to use the word yourself? When I hear a word like Draconian, I know what it means but only because I’ve heard the word in context. So I look words like this up in the dictionary because I want to know what it really means so that I can include it into my vocabulary and especially into my novel writing.

Draconian means barbarously severe, harsh or cruel, not to be confused with draconic which refers to dragon-like. (That’s assuming dragons are nice.) The word Draconian refers to an ancient Greek ruler named Draco. In 621 B.C.E. Draco implemented a strict code of laws. I guess Draco was terribly cruel and over two-and-a-half thousand years later he is still remembered.

Suellen Ocean is the author of the historical series, The Lion’s Trace Available here:

Oh how I’ve heard that word tossed about. Nepotism is showing favoritism to relatives. In the workplace it refers to giving jobs to your family members. In the not too distant past people would help their family members find jobs, frequently in government positions. Any quick scan of your local list of government employees may show large numbers of the same last name. That could be because it’s a popular name in the community but it could also mean that before rules were stricter, family members were able to help relatives land a position. Today, more changes have been made and it’s not unusual on a job application to have to answer the question: Do any of your family members work here?

Suellen Ocean is the author of the historical series, The Lion’s Trace Available here:

Who in the world would want to know the definition of concubine? That would be me. Why? Two reasons. One: I am a genealogist and I’ve recently come across the word in the ancestry message boards. Two: I write historical novels.

I looked it up the word concubine and this is what I’ve found:

Concubinage [F] The cohabiting of a man and a woman who are not legally married; state of being a concubine. Concubinage is recognized in many systems of primitive law, as that of the ancient Hebrews.

Concubine – fr. con – cubare to lie down. A woman who cohabits with a man without being his wife; a kept mistress.

concupiscence – ardent desire; hence sexual lust.

concupiscent – lustful. [Latin, derived of con – cupere to desire.

concupiscible (a rare word these days) That is most desirable; also lustful.

Suellen Ocean is the author of the historical series, The Lion’s Trace Available here:

The ancient Hebrews seemed to think so, and so did other ancient Semites. Long hair on the head and long hair on the chin was considered a sign of manliness. The Nazarites took vows to not cut their hair, they believed it was beautiful. Men often grew their hair longer than the women did. Black hair was thought of as particularly beautiful and because long hair was so valued, as a sign of mourning men would shave it off. Beautiful hair… beautiful man… manly man… that was the belief.

Suellen Ocean is the author of the historical series, The Lion’s Trace Available here: